While some small-business owners invest in general liability insurance to protect them from employees who get injured on the job, there are other causes of aches and pains that occur in the workplace that can negatively affect productivity. According to recent research from the American Osteopathic Association, roughly two-third of office workers have experienced physical pain in the past six months, while 94 percent of respondents said they could identify a task they perform in the workplace that can lead to pain.
“Sitting at a desk all day can take a serious toll on your body, and with busy work schedules and full family lives many office workers don’t seek help to prevent or treat their pain until it reaches the point where it interferes with their ability to do their job without the added distraction of constant pain,” said Rob Danoff, a family physician with Aria Health System in Philadelphia.
Don’t let the workplace cause injuries
Many small-business owners employ a team of staff members who sit at a desk all day on a computer or answering a phone. While this work style may be, unhealthy that is simply how some firms work. In fact, 61 percent of survey respondents report hunching over at a desk is causing them pain, while 58 percent report sitting in an uncomfortable chair. In order to employ the happiest team, small-business owners have to ensure their employees are comfortable at work and provide them enough break time.
“I want to encourage everyone to get up and move!” said Danoff. “Take the long route to the printer or walk up the stairs instead of using the elevator. Making these small changes now will have a great impact on your overall health.”
Help employees feel good about the workplace
Being uncomfortable in the office is one thing, but unhappiness is another. Small-business owners need to ensure their team members are always happy in their roles, even if they are experiencing some aches and pains because of their current positions. A blog post for Harvard Business Review stated firm owners can make their employees feel good about their jobs by giving them more responsibilities. By trusting staff members to carry out more important tasks, some of the job’s other detractors can be less of a bother.
